Bank offers tips for summer travel savings

1. Build a budget: To manage the expenses of your vacation, an important first step is to create a realistic budget that will help you understand how much you can afford to spend on travel this summer. Once you have your budget in place, it will be easier to plan the trips you are going to take. In addition to the ďbig ticketĒ costs at your destination, be sure to factor in the incidental costs along the way.

2. Pay yourself first: To take the sting out of the cost of your vacation after you get back, start saving for it now by setting up an automatic deposit to your savings fund from your paycheck or checking account. A specific amount of money can be transferred automatically on pay day before you even see it. Itís easier to save when you pay yourself first.

3. Donít borrow trouble: Donít finance a vacation and place the cost on your credit card or line of credit unless you have a responsible repayment plan. A credit card is a great convenience, especially when traveling, but if you donít pay off the full balance, you will incur finance charges that will add to the expense of your vacation and may make your vacation memorable in an unintended way.

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4. Put social media to work: Wherever you are going, there is likely a conversation about local deals taking place in social media. Follow hotels, restaurants and destinations on Facebook and Twitter. Use consumer ratings sites and sign up for social coupon sites. If you cover all of your social media bases, a special offer from the best place in town may pop up just as you arrive. Many of these sites also offer mobile apps that make it even easier to find the best value on the road.

5. Use debit cards: Instead of using cash or credit cards, a debit card is a convenient way to make purchases. When using a debit card, keep in mind money will be deducted automatically from your checking account as you make purchases.

6. Use mobile banking: When you are away from home, it can be easy to lose track of your day-to-day finances. Many banks offer mobile banking apps that you can use to check balances, pay bills, transfer funds, locate ATMs and more.

7. Write down credit and debit card information: Make a list of all your account numbers and phone numbers for your cards and keep the list in a safe place that is separate from your cards. In case your wallet is lost or stolen, you will have the information readily available should you need to notify your bank or credit card company.

8. Avoid fees: If you use an ATM to get cash, know where your bankís ATMs are located so you have easy access to your money without incurring ATM fees.

9. Maximize your fuel efficiency : An important budgeting tip to help you save on your summer vacation is to follow the recommendations of the U.S. Department of Energy when it comes to fuel efficiency. Spend less on gas this summer by observing the speed limit, using cruise control and by keeping tires properly inflated.

Citizens Bank of Pennsylvania is a state-chartered bank with dual headquarters in Pittsburgh and Philadelphia. It has 375 branches and 1,001 ATMs throughout Pennsylvania. It also operates 12 retail branches and 95 ATMs in southern New Jersey, and a commercial loan office and 15 ATMs in Virginia. It is a subsidiary of RBS Citizens Financial Group, Inc., a $126 billion commercial bank holding company headquartered in Providence, R.I.